Arthur I. Appleton

Arthur I. Appleton Deceased

Born: Oct. 14, 1915, Chicago, Ill. ... Died Jan. 15, 2008, at his home in Ocala, Fla.
Family: wife, Martha (died 1998); children, Arthur Jr., Tom, James, William, John (died 2005), and Linda; 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren
Education: Business degree from Dartmouth College
Professional Background: Appleton became president and chairman of the board of Appleton Electric in 1957 at age 32 ... Appleton Electric was sold in 1982 to Emerson Electric ... Also an avid inventor, Appleton acquired more than 150 patents on different types of electrical systems and switch boxes ... With his sister Edith-Marie Appleton, founded Ocala's Appleton Museum of Art.
Web site: www.bridlewoodfarm.com
Racing Background: Appleton attended his first races as a young man with his father Edgar at Arlington Park ... Appleton family also had a home in south Florida and attended the races at Hialeah and Gulfstream Park ... The family later owned interests in both tracks... After interests in the two racetracks were sold, Appleton continued to serve on Gulfstream Park's advisory board for many years. Appleton Handicap at Gulfstream Park named in his honor ... Appleton became involved in the Thoroughbred industry as an owner in the 1960s ... The first stakes winner he campaigned was Gallant Knave in 1972
Breeding/Racing Operation: Appleton bought the initial 500 acres of Ocala, Fla.-based Bridlewood Farm in 1977 ... The farm now encompasses 960 acres ... Appleton has bred and/or raced nearly 100 stakes winners ... The farm stood or owned 16 stallions in 2008, including Skip Away, Halo’s Image, Mr. Livingston, Indian Ocean and Black Mambo. Multiple graded stakes winner Keyed Entry has been added to the roster for 2009. Part of Appleton's obituary in The Blood-Horse reads: George Isaacs has served as the farm’s general manager since 1996. “Mr. Appleton was truly a great man, a loving husband and father,” Isaacs said. “He was a brilliant businessman, a fiercely competitive sportsman, and a generous philanthropist. Underneath his tough, Swedish exterior beat a huge, giving heart. I personally witnessed so many acts of kindness he anonymously bestowed on people over the years I can’t begin to count them all. He was a rock to his family, friends, and employees at Bridlewood Farm. He was a big dreamer and he lived his dreams. Anyone who knew Mr. Appleton knows he left nothing to chance. He put the groundwork in place several years ago so that Bridlewood Farm would continue to be his and his family’s proud legacy and flourish as the industry stalwart that it has become.” ... Among the best horses bred and/or raced by Appleton are millionaires David Junior, Jolie’s Halo, Super Nakayama, Black Bar Spin, Forbidden Apple, Wild Event, and Southern Image. In 2002, Forbidden Apple was named Florida Horse of the Year, and his dam, North of Eden, was named Broodmare of the Year. Among the top runners bred by Appleton recently include Smokey Stover, Icy Atlantic, and In Summation. Appleton’s name routinely carved its place in the leading breeders list year after year. In 2007, Appleton was again among the top 10 breeders in North America with horses he bred earning $3,782,956 on the year. In 1991, Appleton was named Florida Breeder of the Year, and in 1998 Appleton was the recipient of the Bruce Campbell Award, bestowed upon him by The Florida Horse magazine (a publication for which he once served as chairman of the board) for bringing prestige and honor to Florida’s Thoroughbred industry. He also served several terms as a director on the board of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association. “It was an honor to serve under his leadership,” said Richard Hancock, executive vice president of the FTBOA. “He was a tough, but fair businessman, and he was one of the main reasons the association owns The Florida Horse magazine and Wire to Wire. We are fortunate that his vision will see to it that Bridlewood Farm will remain a major breeding farm and training center in Florida.” Appleton's best finish in a Breeders' Cup race as a breeder and owner was Forbidden Apple's second in the 2001 Mile [the horse also competed in the 2000 and 2002 Mile events]. Multiple stakes winner Jolie’s Halo competed twice, in 1991 and 1992 ... He has had six previous runners as owner/breeder and an additional six as breeder ... Among the top runners bred by the farm were 2007 Breeders’ Cup competitors Sprint runner Smokey Stover [who finished 9th] and Mile contender Icy Atlantic [also 9th]. In addition, Appleton bred In Summation, a Breeders' Cup Sprint prospect and winner of the 2007 G1 Bing Crosby Handicap and 2008 G3 El Conejo at Santa Anita.